Audio Book Review: Silver Dollar Duke by Sally Britton

I enjoyed this story and gentle romance.
Silver Dollar Duke
Written by Sally Britton
Narrated by Marian Hussey

Run Time 9h 37min
Release Date: April 17, 2021
Publisher: Pink Citrus Books
Genre: Historical Romance, Religious & Inspirational, Romance, Western Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher Description
The last thing Dannie needs is a Victorian gentleman on her ranch, playing cowboy while she’s trying to save her family’s livelihood. Will high stakes and high emotions lead to heartbreak?
Evan Rounsevell, second son to the Marquess of Rothwell, is running as far from his family and responsibilities as he can. His fascination with cowboys takes him from English shores to the Arizona desert, but the days of showdowns are over, and Tombstone, Arizona, is a respectable town. With no funds left, and no desire to call on his affluent family for rescue, Evan seeks a position as a cowboy at a ranch on its last leg.
Daniella Bolton’s fiancé left when the drought of 1893 crippled the KB ranch, but that’s just fine by her. She doesn’t need a man to help her save her family’s land. Especially not an Englishman who looks down on her style of living, like Evan does. She loves her life on the ranch, and no outsider could ever understand what it means to be loyal to the land and her family’s way of life.
Being a cowboy is harder than Evan thought, but as he works to earn his place on the ranch, his heart opens up to the beauty of the desert… as well as that of Dannie Bolton. Watching Evan fight for the ranch she loves makes Dannie realize that not all men are afraid of hard work and troubled times, and loving Evan might be just the salve her wounded heart needs. But when Evan’s family summons him home right when Dannie needs him most, the feelings of betrayal from her former fiancé’s flight return tenfold.
Does Evan dare risk his tenuous relationship with Dannie to fulfill his family responsibilities? Or will leaving Arizona be the worst mistake of his life?

Review:
Dannie is determined to help her father and brothers keep their ranch which has struggled through several years of drought and increasing transport costs. Dannie had a year or two of education back East and has good reason not to trust the polished men of the East. When a Victorian nobleman from England accepts her brothers’ invitation to the ranch, Dannie isn’t ready to welcome him.

Evan Rounsevell, second son to the Marquess of Rothwell, has always dreamed of learning the Cowboy way. He’s read the ‘Penny Dreadful’ stories and even met Buffalo Bill. When faced with the limited role of managing his father’s and brother’s estates, Evan chose to travel to America and go West. He made his way to Tombstone, Arizona but has run out of money. That’s okay, he is willing to work on a real ranch if he can just get a chance. He is set on going on a trail drive before he has to return to England.

Evan gets that chance with Dannie’s father. The other cowhands are quick to call him “Duke”. Most find that he is a hard worker and willing to learn. At least one is jealous that Duke seems to be getting close to Dannie. Evan finds overcoming Dannie’s attitude is a challenge that he is ready to face.

Dannie and Evan slowly become friends. But Dannie is particularly reluctant to let her heart get involved since she doesn’t trust the charmer and she knows he will be returning to England. But as their relationship grows, can they walk away from their chance to find love and family?

This is a lovely and engaging story. I wanted to push Dannie to get past her former heartbreak as I found her continued struggle frustrating. Duke/Evan is a wonderful character, and I liked the perspective he brings to the second son situation and his desire for a life of his own dreams. Still, he is honorable enough to realize he is supposed to return to help his family.

The religious aspect is a gentle development and not preachy. I will look to read more by Ms Britton and I recommend this to fans of clean romance set in the historic West.

Audio Notes: Marian Hussey does a very nice job with the narration. She provides clear, distinct voices and emotional energy that fit the story. I am glad I had this in audio to enjoy.

Source: 3/14/2022 Purchases from Chirp $1.99. This qualifies for 2023TB, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Color goals.

Sunday Post May 7, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 8, 2023

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

My life is changing. Heather has accepted a new job in Panama City which she will start 5/15. This is the first time in 22 years she will work for someone other than me. She will be doing the tasks she knows and loves so I think this will be a good move for her so she doesn't have to drive an hour and a half each way to work and she'll be closer to her children and able to attend their events easier.

I am still looking at options for my office as I do want to find someone to take over the title office and my law practice so I can at least semi-retire. This may take some time to resolve.

The week had other issues for me as it brought the first anniversary of my husband's death. Then I got a full price offer to sell our second property, an A Frame 30 miles away hat my husband truly loved. We would have lived there except it was too far for me to go to work each day. I had listed the property a couple of months ago but the contract to close in two weeks sort of punched my heart.

Meanwhile, I got a new lawn service as my yard needed attention. They did a good job and told me they found this snake skin on top of the hedge at my front porch.

I guess I had been coming home in the dark and didn't see it till the night before they cut the hedge. It was too dark to take the pic but fortunately he left it out for me the next morning.

Princess is feeling better. I plan to get them to the vet for their annual checks this week or next.

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival. We are also praying for family and church.


I think I went through the week in a daze. I didn't even notice the weather. I think it was pretty nice. The forecast is rain for most of this coming week but day temps will still be in high 80s, even 90 already.

I finished three audios this past week and posted two reviews and two memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
No Shout out this week. (I've been pretty tired this week and I'm ready to get this posted.)

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post April 30, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 1, 2023.

• NG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks; Genre: Military, Suspense, Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Oracle by Andrew Pyper; Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 7, 2023 - Battling Evil Spirits.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

Snow Melts in Spring
By Deborah Vogts
Narrated By: Emily Durante
Duration: 8 h 19 min
This is a sweet romance with a vet, football player, and an injured horse.
Source: 5/8/2021 Two for One Credit Deal at Audiobooks.com.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print (P2023)

Get Up and Grow: 21 Habits of Successful People
By Duke Matlock
I plan to activate several recommendations from this inspiring book.
Source: March 2023 gift from Pastor.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Wicked Wyckerly
By: Patricia Rice
Narrated by: Eliza Jane Cornell
Series: The Rebellious Sons, Book 1
I have enjoyed this author and saw that this free title would be unavailable on 5/7 so I downloaded to read in one day. I'm glad I did.
Source: 2/6/2021 Audible Plus title.
Publisher's Summary
NYT and USA Today best-selling author! Nominated for the prestigious romance Rita award!
John Fitzhugh Wyckerly has been the spare heir all his life, supporting himself with gambling and charm. The news that he's inherited the bankrupt title of earl of Danecroft shatters his indolent world. Even penniless, he's always paid his debts, but now the estate's creditors are closing in. He can fake his death and run for cover or accept overwhelming responsibility and find a rich wife - one who will also accept his illegitimate terror of a daughter.
On his way to find an heiress, he meets Abigail Merriweather, who is neither rich nor aristocratic, but she can tame The Terror and stomp cockroaches. Unfortunately she needs a wealthy, powerful man who will fight her father's executor and retrieve her four half siblings. When an unexpected inheritance falls into Abby's lap, she sets out for London to seek a lawyer.
Can Fitz charm his practical Abby into trusting him to save her siblings when it's doubtful that he can even save himself? And can Abby surrender reason and logic for the folly of love offered by a man who can have any woman he wants but insists he wants only her?
©2010 Patricia Rice (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Broken
By: S.J. West
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Series: The Watcher Chronicles, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
This title showed as being unavailable by May 23 so I am listening now.
I am enjoying the beginning and concept.
Source: 9/27/2022 Audible Plus
Publisher's Summary
At the tender age of seven, Jess Riley's parents were ripped out of her life by the Tear, a ripple of white light in the sky which randomly transports people from Earth to alternate realities and distant planets once a year. On the night the Tear first appeared, the Watchers, a mysterious group of men possessing supernatural powers, made their presence known to the leaders of the world, earning their complete trust to deal with the turmoil the Tear caused.
Now 22 years old, Jess is an agent working for the Watcher Agency searching for a way to bring her parents back home. When the leader of the Watchers, Mason Collier, recruits her to join his team, Jess quickly discovers she is meant to play a major role in sealing the Tear forever. Mason and Jess instantly find themselves drawn to one another but they both resist their mutual attraction for different reasons. Broken by past events in their lives, they each struggle to overcome their fears and find the strength to take a chance on one another.
©2013 S.J. West (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

2. NetGalley App Smartphone (NG2023)

Titanium Noir
by Nick Harkaway
I started this and then paused for other books.
I like how it started- interesting main character.
I only have this available another 5 days so I hope to finish it this week.
Source 3/4/2023 NetGalley.
Cal Sounder is a detective working for the police on certain very sensitive cases. So when he’s called in to investigate a homicide at a local apartment, he is surprised at first to see that the victim appears to be a rather typical, milquetoast techie. But on closer inspection, he finds the victim is over seven feet tall. And even though he doesn’t look a day over thirty, he is actually ninety years old. Clearly, he is a Titan—one of this dystopian, near-future society’s genetically-altered elites. There are only a few thousand Titans worldwide, all thanks to Stefan Tonfamecasca’s discovery of the controversial T7 genetic therapy, which elevated his family to near godlike status. A dead Titan is big news... a murdered Titan is unimaginable.
But Titans are Cal’s specialty. In fact, his ex-girlfriend, Athena, is a Titan. And not just any Titan—she’s Stefan’s daughter, heir to the Tonfamecasca empire. As Cal digs deeper into the murder investigation, he begins to unweave the complicated threads of what should have been a straightforward case, and it soon becomes clear he’s on the trail of a crime whose roots run deep into the dark heart of the world.
A virtuosic mash-up of Philip K. Dick and Raymond Chandler by way of Marvel—the story of a detective investigating the murder of a Titan, one of society’s most powerful, medically-enhanced elites, Titanium Noir is a tightly woven, intricate tale of murder, betrayal, and vengeance.

 Again, I expect to get to a third book (an audio), which I will pick when I get there.

May 7, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen".
I don't know whether I will do a YOU Bible App or a print book.

I finished three audio titles and reviewed two. I had one left from last week so four to do.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I still have two more audios on my NetGalley shelf.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer. (I need to look back and see which one this is.)
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me, and newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Small mailbox this week.
No review titles and no wins last week.
I picked two for one credit at Audiobooks.com.
I got no free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

5/5/2023 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com. Both are sci fi selections.

Quant
Series: #1 of Colony
Written by: Richard F. Weyand
Narrated by: Derek Shoales
Duration: 7 hours 28 minutes

Warlord Rising
Series: #2 of Great Insurrection
Written by: Michael Anderle, David Beers
Narrated by: John Skelley
Duration: 7 hours 22 minutes

Free

No new titles added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 7, 2023 - Battling Evil Spirits

We shared prayer requests as always this morning. Then our guest Sunday School speaker from last week finished his lesson from Luke 18 and 19.  God wants us to trust Him.

Our church service started with lovely worship and a move of individuals to praise and give thanks to an Almighty God who has no equal.

Pastor’s sermon was titled “Battling Evil Spirits”. It started in Ephesians 6:12 but included many other scriptures. Sometimes our lives seem like we are on a roller coaster. We are up and down with good and trouble. We need to remember that we are fighting a spiritual enemy. The enemy wants to divide us by attacking each other. This is true in families, church, and nations.

A big area that Satan takes advantage of is the anger and bitterness of unforgiveness.  2 Corinthians 2:10-11. Jesus tells us to forgive as God has forgiven us. We are to pray for enemies. We need to give forgiveness before asked, not just when we are asked. Unforgiveness can cause resentment against church members, the church at large and even against God. Unforgiveness can damage the church.

Make sure you are forgiving. Remember that love keeps no grudges. 1 Corinthians 13:5.
Set your mind on things of God not of the world. Peter tried to rebuke Jesus for telling what he would suffer, but Jesus called Peter ‘Satan’ because he was thinking on human concerns. Mark 8:31-33.

We won't always understand. Jesus rebuked his disciples when they wanted to punish a town for rejecting him. He said to his disciples: “But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” Luke 9:55.

There are times we do the right thing with the wrong attitude, because it is from a wrong spirit.
A friend admonished our pastor once because he noted he was preaching from frustration instead of compassion. The message was right but given in a wrong spirit.

There are many improper spirits such as anger, immorality (Revelation 2:12-20), and imposters (2 Timothy 3:12-13) . “…[E]vil doers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” There is an antichrist spirit that appears to be right but is evil. Matthew 7:21-23. We must ask the Holy Spirit for discernment so that we can judge leaders by their fruit not just by their appearance. Those who are not repentant for trouble and are always blaming others may be deceived by their own pride.

Then there are people who are oppressed by those evil spirits. This can occur when the church or people tolerate the spirit of the imposter, Jezebel. Our inner beings need to be aligned with God so we can know if a situation is being directed by a wrong spirit. Division is not of God.

There are many spirits to avoid and here are three evident in our world today:
The Spirit of Jezebel: a manipulative spirit more interested in controlling the process than caring for the person. (The church needs to return to modesty.) This spirit undermines the authority of God.
The Spirit of Absalom: This spirit possesses a desire to be in authority, but not with any kind of purity of heart. It typically harbors camouflaged bitterness, unresolved offenses, disappointments, and anger. It thrives on hidden agendas and wars against leadership.
Absalom was the third son of King David. Absalom took offense to the wrong done to his sister Tabor and instead of allowing proper justice, he went into rebellion. He wanted to take over the kingdom so he stole the hearts of the people away from King David. He presented himself to the people as a servant but really brought anarchy.

The Spirit of Python: Pythons constrict their prey, cutting of their breath and suffocating them. This spirit is revealed in the story of Paul meeting a girl with a spirit of divination. Acts 16:16-24. She was exhorting the public to listen to Paul but her actions were muting his message - restricting the breath of the Holy Spirit. This spirit can be seen in outside voices speaking to teens but stealing the voice and impact of their parents.

Remember to forgive and clothe yourself in spiritual armor.

I had a song in mind but couldn’t find the one.
So I found this and it fits today’s message:
Now It’s Our Turn.

Verses for Today:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


Lord, please fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to be discerning of spirits around me.

Audible Book Review: Oracle by Andrew Pyper

This is a little raw and perfect for fans of dark thrillers.

Oracle
By: Andrew Pyper
Narrated by: Joshua Jackson

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 08-17-21
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Oracle is a psychological thriller audiobook following Nate Russo, an FBI psychic who helps solve abductions and homicides by touching those close to the missing persons. His unique gift comes with a terrible price: He sees the horrific moments before the victims disappeared. This high-stakes mystery, written by best-selling author Andrew Pyper and performed by Joshua Jackson, combines crime investigations with supernatural elements and killer instincts.
©2021 Andrew Pyper Enterprises, Inc. (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Nate Russo consults with the FBI in a very special way. He is able to touch a loved one of a missing person and see the terror and fear of the victims as they are taken. He and the two agents he works with try to respond quickly in hopes of finding victims before they are dead. It is a source of anger and frustration that they find the bodies but too late. The cost of reading the loved ones and then failing to bring back a survivor comes at a great cost to Nate.

How Nate got this “gift” or curse is a big part of his past. This becomes an element in his struggles as the latest victim draws the team back to his boyhood town. Tensions increase as Nate finds his brother has returned home too and authorities in the town scorn Nate’s skills.

Nate’s background and feelings are well developed as he is the pivotal character in the story. His partners are not as deeply developed but still have distinct features that add to the team. Nate’s skill of seeing the victims last minutes draws the reader in a macabre fascination.

I generally like to read horror and dark stories in October. I pulled this into my reading/listening queue because it showed it would no longer be available after May 14. There is a sequel and I may add it someday for an October read. I recommend this to fans of dark, psychological thrillers.

Audio Notes: Joshua Jackson does an interesting and good job with narration. He delivers the rather creepy vibe quite well. I am glad I had the chance to listen to this.

Source: 8/2/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks

I enjoyed the military survival training in this suspenseful story.
The Instructor
By T.R. Hendricks
Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Series: Derek Harrington, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
Release date: 04-11-23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Military, Suspense, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Derek Harrington, retired Marine Force Recon and SERE instructor, is barely scraping by teaching the basics of wilderness survival. His fledgling bushcraft school is on the cusp of going out of business and expenses are piling up fast. His only true mission these days? To get his ailing father into a full care facility and to support his ex-wife and their son.
When one of his students presents him with an opportunity too good to be true―$20,000 to instruct a private group for 30 days in upstate New York―Derek reluctantly takes the job, despite his reservations about the group's insistence on anonymity. But it isn't long before the training takes an unexpected turn―and a new offer is made.
Reaching out to an FBI contact to sound his concerns, Derek soon finds himself in deep cover, deep in the woods, embroiled with a fringe group led by a charismatic leader who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. When what he wants becomes Derek's head, the teacher is pitted against his students as Derek races against time to stop what could very well be the first attack by the domestic terrorist cell.

Review:
Derek is a retired expert teaching the basics of serious wilderness survival. At the end of the most recent class, one man offers him a significant fee to come train his team. Derek goes reluctantly because he has to leave behind his ailing father and his son who expects him to attend his games. Derek has some concerns about the training when he is delivered blind folded to a compound that raises lots of questions. Especially when he is offered another significant sum for extended training.

On a very brief break from the compound training, Derek reaches out to a friend in the FBI. His friend agrees convinces Derek to go back undercover to gain more information. Derek has to do the training and increase the skills of the compound team over the weeks, or it would be suspicious, even though Derek fears that he may be training terrorists. He finds another undercover agent and they try to plan an exit before they are exposed. But things aren’t quite as they seem, and Derek really hasn’t managed to shelter those he should be protecting.

The story has a good bit of Rambo action. It is filled with wilderness training that I did find interesting. The full-on action and suspense are a great element. Unfortunately, there were some obvious flaws as Derek fails to take some protective steps and falls into some obvious traps. Overall, I did enjoy the action and I would try the next book. I recommend this to fans of military action.

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and emotional feelings to fit the text. I appreciate getting to listen to this audiobook.

Source: 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley and 2023Audiobook goals.